Canary Islands Face Imminent Disaster as Reservoir Threatens to Burst
The Canary Islands are confronting a severe emergency as torrential rainfall from Storm Therese has pushed a critical reservoir to the brink of collapse, with authorities urgently requesting military assistance to avert a catastrophic flood. More than 3,000 individuals have been evacuated or stranded on Gran Canaria alone after a night of unrelenting downpours caused water levels to surge and isolated entire communities.
Critical Reservoir Situation Sparks Widespread Alarm
Officials issued an urgent warning after the Fataga reservoir, located in San Bartolome de Tirajana, swelled to within two metres of its full capacity. This precarious situation raises fears that thousands of litres of water could suddenly cascade down the ravine below with minimal warning, threatening downstream areas. The nearby hamlet of Arteara, situated at the base of the Fataga ravine, faces the terrifying prospect of being completely cut off, as its sole access route across the gorge risks becoming impassable if waters continue to rise.
Local media have described the event as 'the storm of the decade', with holidaymakers advised to remain indoors as hotels and beaches suffer damage and roads collapse. Island authorities, including the governing Cabildo and local council, have urged residents to stockpile essential supplies and prepare for potential temporary isolation as conditions deteriorate. An orange weather alert remains active, with emergency chiefs stressing the critical nature of the situation and warning that disregarding safety guidelines could prove fatal.
Emergency Response and Infrastructure Damage
The crisis intensified overnight as Storm Therese's torrential rain caused ravines to overflow and roads to collapse across Gran Canaria. At least 12 routes have been closed due to landslides, flooding, and rockfalls, effectively sealing off parts of the southern region. In a dramatic escalation, island president Antonio Morales activated a Level 2 emergency response, enabling Spain's Military Emergency Unit to deploy heavy machinery and personnel to the affected area.
Emergency services confirmed that 19 dams across the island have now reached capacity and are releasing water into already swollen ravines, heightening the risk of further flooding in multiple zones. Federico Grillo, the technical director of emergencies, warned that rainfall in the early hours had significantly worsened conditions, particularly in the south.
Travel Chaos and Rescue Operations
The storm's impact extended to air travel, with strong winds and hazardous conditions forcing the cancellation of an inter-island flight from Gran Canaria and diverting eight others as Lanzarote bore the brunt of the weather. Flights from Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Rotterdam were rerouted to Gran Canaria, while services from London, Manchester, and Newcastle were diverted to Fuerteventura, leaving passengers stranded and causing widespread delays.
Footage captured a Jet2 plane attempting a shaky landing at Lanzarote Airport, rocking side-to-side before aborting the descent amid howling winds. On the island of Agaete, residents of Los Perez and El Hornillo were evacuated after the Los Perez dam began releasing water for only the third time in history. Firefighters and local police rescued three people—two cyclists and a woman—caught in a flash flood in the Guiniguada ravine, with one intervention requiring aerial assistance from the Emergency Response Group.
Amid waves reaching up to four meters high, approximately 60 people were rescued south of Tenerife from a small boat, including several women and children, some of whom needed assistance upon reaching the Los Cristianos dock. Despite the severe conditions, officials reported no injuries so far, but with water levels still rising and infrastructure under strain, concerns persist that the worst may be yet to come.
